Transfer, trimming, and closing mechanism for combination bag forming machines



Jan" 7, 1936. 5 scH r AL zfi mflfl TRANSFER, TRIMMING AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COMBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES Filed Jtqme 24, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet l Jana 1936.

. s. HIRSCH ET AL 2,27,43 TRANSFER, TRIMMING- AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COMBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES Filed June 24, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 I, WW J @f O I ATTOR N EYS Jan. 7, 193. s HmscH ET AL 2,027,04i-3 TRANSFER, TRIMMING AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COMBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES File d- June 24, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORN EYS Jam 7, W35.

5 HIRSCH ETAL 2,027,043

TRANSFER, TR IMMING AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COMBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES Filed June 24, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY$ S, HERSGH ET AL. TRIM Jam!" 7 W360 TRANSFER, MING AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COMBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES Filed June 24, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jam 7 31936.

5. HIRSCH ET AL ZOZZME TRANSFER, TRIMMING AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COMBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES Filed June 24, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1936..

S. HIRSCH ET AL TRANSFER, TRIMMING AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COMBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES Filed June 24, 1932 2,2 ZWEB 7 SheetsSheet 7 ATTOR N EYS Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE TRANSFER, TRIMMING, AND CLOSING MECHANISM FOR COBTBINATION BAG FORMING MACHINES York Application June 24, 1932, Serial No. 619,062

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to mechanisms for filling and closing bag-like receptacles with tea and like substances and embodies, more specifically, an improved mechanism by means of which bag-like receptacles into which a suitable substance has been inserted are transferred from a filling position to a closing position at which point the receptacles are suitably treated to effect the convenient closing thereof.

Machines are now available for automatically handling bag-like receptacles which have been filled with a suitable substance in such fashion that the receptacles are closed, trimmed and clamped in a closed position automatically. The accomplishment of the successive operations necessary to attain the desired results has heretofore been attained by means of mechanisms which function frequently in a faulty manner, giving rise to loss in time and materials during the manufacturing. operations. The difficulty of handling a bag in which a substance is contained, the handling being effected from the time the bag is filled and positioned with an open end to the time when the bag is discharged from the mechanism in a completely closed and marketable state, has proved that the devices now available are inadequate to function effectively in this fashion. The inability of existing structures to transfer the filled bags positively to a trimming and closing mechanism has given rise to objectionable conditions of operation. With a view to correcting the faulty conditions existing in present machines of this character, the present invention has been designed and an object thereof is to provide a bag filling and closing machine by means of which a bag-like receptacle is transferred effectively from a filling position to a closing mechanism and discharged in a fully marketable condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bag filling and closing mechanism wherein means is provided to grip the bags effectively in moving them from'a filling position to a closing mechanism, the gripping means being effectively controlled to release the bag upon movement thereof into a closing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a mechanism for transferring bag-like receptacles from a filling position to a closing mechanism, an improved device for trimming the bags and effecting the closing thereof.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a mechanism for transferring bags from a filling to a trimming and closing mechanism in accordance with the 5 present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in detail, showing the manner in which the transfer mechanism operates.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in end elevation partly broken away and in section, showing details of the bag transfer table.

Figure 4 is a view in section, taken on line 4-5 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view in end elevation, showing a portion of the bag transfer mechanism with a bag in the filling position.

Figure 6 is a detail plan View showing a trimming mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 'l is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the trimming mechanism after having been actuated, this view further illustrating the operating mechanism for the trimming device.

Figure 8 is a view in section, taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a detail view illustrating the condition of a filled bag-like receptacle as it is moved into the trimming mechanism.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, showing a bag after it has been trimmed.

Figure 11 is a plan view showing the driving elements for the bag transfer, trimming, and closing mechanisms.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the frame of a machine is illustrated at ill and is provided with a drive shaft II from which power is taken to actuate the devices described here- 4O inafter. Spaced from the drive shaft II is a shaft !2 (see Figures 3 and 11) which is mounted upon a bearing plate I3, formed upon the frame of the machine. Shaft i2 is provided with a sprocket It which is driven by means of a chain I5 (indicated in dot and dash lines in Figure 11) which receives power from a driving sprocket l5, mounted upon a parallel shaft l1. Shaft I1 is provided with a gear N which engages a cooperating gear it! upon a shaft 223 in order that rotation of shaft 28 may be imparted to the driving sprocket It. A sleeve 2! is journaled upon shaft 2%] and is provided with an arm 22 upon which a dog 23 is pivoted. Dog 23 is urged against the periphery of a disc 24 by means of a spring 25, the disc 24 being formed with a plurality of spaced notches 26. A link 2'! is pivoted to the arm 22 and provided with an eccentric strap 28 which is secured about an eccentric 29 driven by shaft II. It will thus be seen that an oscillating motion is imparted to arm 22 through dog 23. This motion is transferred to sprocket gear l6 and wheel 14 to a sleeve l2 in the form of an intermittent unidirectional rotation.

Sleeve l2 is provided with a threaded hub 30 upon which a collar 31 is adapted to be adjustably positioned, the collar being secured to the hub 30 by means of a set screw 32. Collar 3| is provided with a transfer table 33 and also carries a jaw supporting member 34. Upon jaw supporting member 34, a plurality of radially extending stationary arms 35 are secured, these arms cooperating with movable jaw members 36 to grip a receptacle and move the same with the table in accordance with the operations outlined hereinafter.

Each movable jaw 36 is secured pivotally to a supporting arm 31 which is pivoted at 38 upon the member 34. An actuating arm 39 is also pivoted to each movable jaw 36 at 40 and the arms 39 are likewise pivoted at 4| to the member 34. The inwardly extending portions of the arms 39 are provided with rollers 42 which are adapted to engage the periphery of a cam disc 43, the cam disc being journaled upon the shaft l2 by means of a bearing 44. In order that the desired operations may be effected, the cam disc 43 is formed with a surface 45 of minimum radius, a surface 46 of medium radius and a surface 41 of maximum radius. An actuating link 48 is pivotally secured to the disc 43 and receives power from a mechanism described hereinafter.

Each stationary arm 35 is provided with an arcuate guide rod 49 upon which a spring 50 is provided, the guide rod and spring 50 constraining the movements of the respective movable jaws 35 and urging the same against the stationary arms 35.

The position of an arm and cooperating jaw during the filling of a receptacle which is to be gripped by the jaw is illustrated in Figure 5. In this view, a bag-like receptacle 5| has been moved from supporting fingers 52 and placed upon the transfer table 33. A filler spout 53 has caused such movement of the receptacle and simultaneously filled the same with a desired quantity of a substance in accordance with any existing mechanisms now available. As soon as the filler spout 53 is elevated, cam disc 43 is moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1 and 2 and the roller 42 which has engaged the surface 41 (indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2) is enabled to move into the position illustrated in solid lines in Figures 2, adjacent the surface 45 of the cam disc 43. Spring 50 thus urges the corresponding jaw 36 against arm 35 and the receptacle is effectively gripped between the movable jaw 36 and arm 35. Table 33 is then advanced in a step by step fashion until the bag reaches a position in which it is moved into a trimming mechanism.

With reference to Figures 1, 6, '7, 8, 9, and 10, it will be seen that the trimming mechanism includes a rotatable disc 54 upon which radially extending arms 55 are mounted, each arm 55 being formed with a notch or recess 56 which is adapted to be aligned with the opposed surfaces between the respective arms 35 and the jaws 36.

As the respective arms 35 and jaws 36 reach such position, the cam disc 43, through the medium surface 46 which is engaged by the respective roller 42, moves the respective jaw 36 away from the respective arm 35 to permit the receptacle carried thereby to be released. Figure 1 illustrates the manner in which the jaws are moved away from the respective arms upon the positioning of the mechanism for removal of the receptacles from the table 33 and the in- 10 troduction thereof into the respective arms 55.

A stationary table 51 (see Figure 1) is provided with a slide head 58 upon which a jamb finger 59 is formed. A movable table 60 is adapted to swing into a position substantially in the 5 plane of table 51 after a receptacle has been moved into a position preparatory to being introduced into the trimming mechanism. A portion of the edge of table 60 adjacent the stationary table 51 is offset suificiently to form a slot 20 6| in order that the upper portions of the receptacle may be received therein and after the movable table 60 has been moved to the position shown in Figure 1, slide head 58 is advanced to the right, as viewed in Figure 1, and jamb 25 finger 59 puckers and forces the upper portion of the receptacle into the adjacent notch 56 of an arm 55.

As soon as the receptacle has been puckered and placed in a notch 55 disc 54 is turned clockwise 30 through 90 (as viewed in Figure 1) and a stationary guide 62 abuts against the ends of arms 56 to prevent the folds of the puckered bag from expanding and escaping from the notch in which the same has been positioned. Motion of the 35 disc 54 through 90 brings the bag into a. trimming position.

The mechanism for trimming the uneven puckered end of 'a bag comprises shear blades 63 and 64. These blades are pivoted at 65 upon a suit- 4 able mounting plate 66 and are actuated by a plate 61 which is pivoted at 68 upon the mounting plate 66. Blade 63 is connected to plate 61 by means of a pin and slot connection 69 while blade 64 is actuated by the arm 61 through a con- 5 nection comprising a pin 10 upon plate 61, the pin engaging a slot H formed in an extension 12 of the blade 64. Slot H is provided with an angular extension 13 in order that the initial movement of plate 61 in its cutting action will 50 cause no appreciable movement of blade 64. During this time pin 10 rides in the slot portion 10 of the extension 12 and blade 63 is advanced into cutting position. The desirability of providing a device of the above character will be 55 apparent in as much as the blade 63 must swing clear of the upwardly extending portions of the bags as they are advanced from the receiving to the trimming position by disc 54. The position of blade 63 during such motion is illustrated in 60 Figures 1 and 6 and it will be seen that blade 64 is moved only a slight amount to effect the trimming operation. This motion of blade 64 takes place after blade 63 has been swung from the position shown in Figures 1 and 6 to a position in 05 which the blade is about to engage the ends of the bags. At such time the pin 10 engages the angular extension 13 of the slot H and both cut ting blades 63 and 64 close simultaneously, shearing the ends of the bags as illustrated in 70 Figure 10.

Plate 61 is actuated by a link 14 which is connected to a lever 15 pivoted at 16 upon the frame of the machine and formed with an arm 71 which is connected to an arm 18 of a lever 19 through 75 a pin and slot connection 88. Lever I9 is pivoted at 8I upon the frame of the machine and is actuated by a link 82 which is pivoted to the end of an arm 83 journaled at 84 upon the machine. Arm 83 is actuated by a box 85 in which a cam 86 is received, the cam being secured to driving shaft I l. The link 48 is driven from the cam box 85 by means of a link 81 which is connected to arm 83 and to an arm 88 formed upon a lever 89. Lever 89 is journaled at 8| concentric with arm I9 and the end thereof is pivoted to link 48 at 98.

After the bags have been trimmed the disc 54 moves the same through 90 and places them in 16 a position to be closed in any suitable fashion.

In the present construction, and by way of illustration only, the bag is illustrated as being closed by means of a head 9| which is slidably mounted in guides 92 and actuated by a member 93 which 20 is driven by a bell crank lever 94 which is pivoted at 95 and actuated by a crank 96 which is formed upon cam 86.

The head 9i cooperates with a disc 91 which.

is formed with a plurality of grooves 98 in which 25 pieces of metal may be inserted when the grooves are in the position in which groove 99 is placed in Figure 1. At such time, a finger I88, mounted upon a rail l8l, forces a strip of metal cut by a knife I8 I into the groove. Drawing the cut strip 30 of metal into the groove causes the ends of the strip to be bent into parallel relationship and forms the strip as a U. Knife I8I' is actuated by a link I82 which may be driven by an eccentric I83 from the power shaft I I. Subsequent motion 35 of the disc 91 brings the U-shaped piece of metal into a position such as indicated by the groove I84. In this position, the head 9| advances to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, and forces the metal about the neck of the bag within the adja- 40 cent notch 56, causing the metal to clamp the puckered end thereof closed in accordance with standard practice.

It will be seen that the foregoing mechanism effectively transfers a receptacle from a position 45 upon table 33 wherein the same has been filled to a trimming and closing device. The manipulation of the receptacle is such as to prevent spillage therefrom and to cause the same to be moved into the trimming and closing mechanism in such 50 fashion that the receptacle is positively held during movement thereof in order that the trimming and. closing operations may be efliciently carried out.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 5

l. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable table, means to move the table in a step by step fashion, a plurality of radial arms fixedly mounted on the table, a movable arm associated with each fixed arm, a lever upon 10 which the movable arm is pivotally mounted, means to urge each movable arm against its respective stationary arm, a plurality of cam surfaces, and means on each movable arm engaging the cam surfaces.

2. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable table, means to move the table in a step by step fashion, a plurality of radial arms fixedly mounted on the table, a movable arm associated with each fixed arm, a lever upon which the movable arm is pivotally mounted, an actuating lever connected to each movable arm, means to urge each movable arm against its respective stationary arm, a plurality of cam surfaces, and means on each actuating lever to engage the cam surfaces.

3. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable table, means to move the table in a step by step fashion, a plurality of radial arms fixedly mounted on the table, a movable arm associated with each fixed arm, a lever upon which the movable arm is mounted, an actuating lever connected to each movable arm, means to urge each movable arm against its respective stationary arm, a cam disc having a plurality of cam surfaces, said disc being journaled concentrically with the table, and means to rock the disc.

4. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable table, means to move the table in a step by step fashion, a plurality of radial arms fixedly mounted on the table, a movable arm associated with each fixed arm, a lever upon which the movable arm is mounted, an actuating lever connected to each movable arm, means to urge each movable arm against its respective stationary arm, a cam of maximum radius, and a cam of smaller radius than the first cam, the said cams being substantially diametrically opposed and concentric with the table, and means to rock the cams.

SAMUEL HZIRSCI-I. HANS IRMSCHER. 

